The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE —Appalfolks of America Association has postponed its “Rock ‘n’ Roll Weekend at the Virginia Opry” featuring Michael Hoover on Friday, Aug. 21, and “Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters” on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Historic Masonic Theatre.
M. Ray Allen, director of The Virginia Opry, lamented, “When ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Weekend’ was planned back in the spring, I was optimistic that summer’s heat would eliminate COVID-19”
Allen’s optimism, as it turned out, was ill-founded, and the Historic Masonic Theatre that seats 540 is being limited to selling 110 tickets in order to practice social distancing.
“The Historic Masonic Theatre’s new executive director, Justin Reiter, has recommended that Appalfolks reschedule the two shows, and I wish to thank him for agreeing to honor our contracts that extended to two undetermined dates in 2021,” Allen added.
Michael Hoover set the Virginia Opry’s box office record in August 2018 when a large audience paid $4,458 on tickets to his concert.
Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters holds the overall box office record for Appalfolks that was set in 2010 when $5,500 worth of tickets sold.
“I feel badly for the performers and for their fans here in the Alleghany Highlands who were looking forward to attending ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Weekend at The Virginia Opry’,” Allen concluded.
